Chapter 9 Fireballs, Abs, And Other Relationship Red Flags

• Mixarnt wrinkled his nose as he shovelled the last of the hay into the stalls, the pungent aroma of manure clinging stubbornly to the air. "Here you go, you damn horses," he muttered, tossing a few extra oats their way with a grin. "Eat up before I change my mind."
• One of the mares snorted, as if unimpressed, and he chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, I know, ungrateful animal haha."
• Wiping his hands on his pants (which were already beyond saving), he stepped back, surveying his work. The stables were clean, the horses fed, and his stomach was growling loud enough to rival a bear's.
• "Hopefully, this earns enough coins to buy some decent supplies," he mused aloud, stretching his arms behind his head. "Maybe even a new shirt. This one's seen better days, and smells like it, too."
• As if on cue, the innkeeper's voice called out from the stable entrance. "Boy, if you're done, come inside and have dinner."
• Mixarnt turned, flashing the elderly woman a lopsided smile. "Nah, just leave the food on the bench out here. I smell like shit!"
• The innkeeper laughed, her weathered face crinkling with amusement. "No wonder you and that elf get along so well."
• Mixarnt blinked. "Haha… I wouldn't say that. She tried to kill me, like, multiple times." He held up fingers to count. "Fireballs, explosions, there was also one time she threw a rock filled bag at my face."
• The woman waved him off, her smile knowing. "Believe me, if she truly hated you, she'd have left you behind long ago. But you two? You stick together like a married couple." She then patted his shoulder. "I'll have one of the staff bring your food out."
• As she shuffled back inside, Mixarnt stared after her, bemused.
• "Huh. So that's how it looks from the outside?" He scratched his head, then shrugged. "Well, not like I care that much." But the corner of his mouth tugged up anyway.
• He plopped onto the bench, sighing as he finally relaxed. The evening air was cool, the distant chatter from the inn, warm and lively. No monsters, no explosions, no infuriatingly beautiful elf trying to incinerate him. Just peace.
• … Until a familiar voice cut through the calm, holding a tray of food. "You. Stink."
• Mixarnt didn't even need to look to know Aelries was standing a meter behind him. She put down the tray on the ground, crossed her arms, nose wrinkled in disdain.
• "Wow, thanks," he drawled. "I just finished cleaning your future ride, Princess. A little gratitude wouldn't kill you."
• Aelries "Humph!" but there was a hint of smirk.
• Mixarnt decided not to push his luck in teasing her. But he did make a mental note to ask for an extra portion later.
• Aelries just watched him ate happily like an owner making sure her puppy was fed well.
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• Mixarnt stretched his arms overhead with a satisfied groan, his stomach full. "Alright, now that I'm fed, time to wash up," he declared, cracking his neck before standing up.
• Aelries, who had been watching him with vague curiosity, suddenly stiffened. "Hey, where are you going? The well is over there!" she called, pointing toward the courtyard's water source.
• Mixarnt glanced back at her, raising an eyebrow as if she'd just suggested he lick himself clean like a cat. "You really think a well can fix this?" He gestured dramatically at his ruined clothes, his pants frayed into tatters "thanks to her fireballs," he added pointedly. And his once, white shirt now a grimy, manure-stained brown. "This shirt's seen more battles than some soldiers. It's retiring."
• Then, without warning, he yanked the shirt off over his head.
• Aelries's jaw dropped.
• "Y-YOU SHAMELESS HUMAN! PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON!" she shrieked, instinctively covering her eyes, but not before catching a glimpse of toned abs, lean muscle, and sandy beige skin.
• "Wait...." Her fingers slipped slightly.
• Mixarnt wasn't just handsome, he was stupidly, unfairly sculpted, like some tavern dwelling god of mischief. Every movement as he tossed his shirt aside flexed ridges of muscle she hadn't noticed beneath his usual lazy slouch.
• "H-hot…" slipped out before she could stop it. Back then, she didn't have a moment to fully see his body because of embarrassment. (Refer to ch. 4)
• Mixarnt paused, tilting his head. "Huh? What was that? You sayin' something, you stingy elf?"
• Aelries's face ignited. "I-I SAID THE WEATHER IS HOT, YOU DOOFUS!" she shouts flustered, her voice cracking. "AND WHERE ARE YOU EVEN PLANNING TO GO HALF-NAKED?!"
• Mixarnt grinned, already walking away. "Oh, I'm taking a swim in the river we passed earlier. Be back in an hour or so~" And with that, he dashed off, leaving Aelries gaping after him, his stupidly perfect backside disappearing into the dusk.
• Aelries sighed, tugging at the hem of the borrowed white shirt she wore, her usual elven attire currently being laundered. The short shorts and boots left her feeling oddly exposed, but it was better than smelling like smoke and dirt. She slumped into a chair at the inn's dining table, poking at her meal with a fork which was already cold.
• "That idiot." Mixarnt had actually gone to swim in the freezing river at night. Even in the summer heat, the mountain waters would be bone chilling.
• "Honestly… He could've just asked to use the bath," she muttered under her breath. "But then again, if he had asked, covered in manure and reeking of sweat… Yeah, I would've kicked him out anyway." she said.
• "Sigh… I don't know if I should feel guilty or relieved," she grumbled, stabbing a potato with unnecessary force and then drinks her juice.
• The innkeeper, a smile playing on her lips, sidled up to the table with a pitcher of water. "Fufu~ I saw you checking out your boyfriend earlier."
• Aelries choked on her drink.
• "W-WE AREN'T LOVERS!" she sputtered, slamming her cup down. "He's annoying! A pervert! A complete idiot who does things like... like swimming in freezing rivers at night! He's dense and shameless and!"
• The innkeeper simply blinked, then burst into giggles. "My, my… I see you're worried about him."
• Aelries's face burned. "I! That's not...! UGH!" She buried her face in her hands.
• The older woman patted her shoulder, still chuckling. "Fufu… Don't worry, dear. I'll prepare some fresh clothes for him when he gets back."
• Aelries peeked through her fingers. "… He'd better freeze out there." But when the innkeeper walked away, Aelries's gaze flickered toward the window, just for a second, wondering if the river's current was too strong tonight.